The Grand Theatre 1933

Don street number nineteen where the old dust trucks used to rattle by - taking rubbish to the distructer,
You may have seen it, behind the gas works near.
Exciting time at Xmas, Granddads giving kids a treat.

Walking to the Grand theatre on a cold December night
In the light of the gas lamps glow.
Queuing in the passage at the back of the theatre
Granddad shows to us the red fire engine garaged within sight.
Mr Teal comes along selling his Humbugs - in penny folded packets,
Made by boiling sugar in Frenchgate terraced house

Big orange held tight in hand as up the curling stairs we climb,
Near the top out of breath waiting for old Granddad puffing up.
Tickets given - careful step down the steep stairs - in the gods on
wooden seats we are settled.
Behind the spotlights with large turning coloured discs.

The Theatre lights dimming - smell of orange pealed
noisy violin and brass horn - tuning break the air.
Granddad sucks a Teals Humbug counts the kids in his care
he's seen it all before, missing a pint in the Cheshire Cheese
he doesn't mind as the kids happy he sees.
The chorus line of dancing girl's start the show
followed by the story of poor Cinderella
sat amongst the ashes. The ugly sisters are booed,

The happy ending to the story told with jokes and tears.
The event still remembered in later years
With loving thoughts - of Granddad and the old terrace house we shared
19 Don Street Wheatley-- near the Cheshire Cheese.
By Roy Barker  2001

Thank your Roy for giving us your permission to share your memories.

Charlie Chaplin turns out in support of the Grand. 

This little girl was thrilled to meet ‘Charlie’ who once again lent his support to the restoration of Doncaster’s Grand Theatre.   The Friends of Doncaster Grand Theatre where out in force at the KeepMoat stadium in June for the sport’s venues annual open day.  The Friends where once again gratified at the high level of support for our cause, and where happy to recruit new Friends  to swell our ranks.  Each new Friend recruited brings closer the day that the curtain will go up on a new era in performance arts in Doncaster.  If you would like to see the Grand Theatre open once again then please consider joining the Friends or make a donation, however small.  Click here for more information.